Model vehicle racetrack tool

ABSTRACT

A tool is provided for use in the assembly and disassembly of like adjacent track sections of a model vehicle racetrack. Each of the substantially identical track sections forming the model vehicle race track includes a substantially horizontal running surface having at least one guide groove therein for use in guiding model vehicles over the running surface. Each track section includes a hook and a hook retaining means for engagement with corresponding hook and hook retaining means and corresponding detent means for maintenance of like adjacent track sections with said guide grooves in substantial alignment. The tool of the present invention includes means for engaging a guide groove of each of two like adjacent track sections and lever arms attached to the tool for use in manipulating the engaging means when inserted in the grooves to selectively engage and disengage said like adjacent track sections against the operation of said detent means. The lever arms are constructed and arranged relative to the engaging member to provide a moment arm to aid the user in assembling and disassembling of like adjacent track members while maintaining the tool in substantially the same relation to the user.

United States Patent 1191 Kirby et al.

[ Aug. 12, 1975 MODEL VEHICLE RACETRACK TOOL [75] Inventors: James S. Kirby, Huntington Station;

Louis Accornero, Hempstead, both of N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Aurora Products Corporation, West Hempstead, NY.

22 Filed: Feb. 4, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 439,009

52 us. c1. 29/200 n; 7/1 0; 7/17;

29/267; 81/90 R; 81/90 c; 238/10 F 51 11.1.0. B23P 19/00 [58] Field of Search 29/200 H, 271, 267, 235,

29/453, 450; 46/1 K; 81/90 C, 90 R, 119; 7/1 G, 17; 145/50 C; 238/10 F FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS United Kingdom 81/90 C Primary ExaminerVictor A. Dipalma Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Amster & Rothstein [5 7 ABSTRACT A tool is provided for use in the assembly and disassembly of like adjacent track sections of a model vehicle racetrack. Each of the substantially identical track sections forming the model vehicle race track includes a substantially horizontal running surface having at least one guide groove therein for use in guiding model vehicles over the running surface. Each track section includes a hook and a hook retaining means for engagement with corresponding hook and hook retaining means and corresponding detent means for maintenance of like adjacent track sections with said guide grooves in substantial alignment. The tool of the present invention includes means for engaging a guide groove of each of two like adjacent track sections and lever arms attached to the tool for use in manipulating the engaging means when inserted in the grooves to selectively engage and disengage said like adjacent track sections against the operation of said detent means. The lever arms are constructed and arranged relative to the engaging member to provide a moment arm to aid the user in assembling and disassembling of like adjacent track members while maintaining the tool in substantially the same relation to the user.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAT T AUE 1 2191s 3; 8 98 723 FIG. 2.

FIGS.

MODEL VEHICLE RACETRACK TOOL The present invention relates generally to model vehicle racetracks. and in particular, to a tool for use in connection therewith.

Within the past several years increased popularity has been enjoyed by miniature vehicle systems in which small versions of gasoline powered vehicles, most commonly automobiles, are guided about a prearranged course on a roadway which simulates a street, highway or racetrack. Power is supplied to the model vehicles by conductors concealed within the surface of the roadway and which protrude only slightly from the running surface thereof with motors in the model vehicles contacting the conductors through brushes or the like.

In order to maintain the realistic appearance of the vehicle and roadbed combination, while maintaining the required guide means to direct the vehicle on the roadbed, the vehicle is often provided with a downwardly projecting rod which is designed to be guided by a guideway or slot within the roadbed or track section. In order to maintain the realistic appearance of the vehicle and roadbed, the guideways are often recessed below the running surface of the track section and often include depending side walls for their entire longitudinal extent.

Among the more popular of the many variations of the miniature vehicle systems described are those which simulate high-speed race courses. It would of course be possible to provide replicas, in miniature, of specific existing race courses in one piece in a preassembled state. However, to do so would create problems of storage for the manufacturer, the retailer and the consumer. In addition, such a pre-assembled course would require purchasing of an entire new course if it were desired to change the original configuration.

A more practical solution is to supply certain standard track section shapes including as many special shapes as is required to assemble a desired course. Individual race courses may be sold by supplying the individual components in a non-assembled state. In addition to solving the problem of storage and transportation, the sale of individual race track components to be later assembled by the user if a modified track configuration is desired, permits individual components to be purchased at a later date to alter, vary or modify the originally purchased course configuration.

Presently, there are numerous model vehicle racetracks sold which include numerous sections of track sold either separately or for use in combination with other units. The individual track sections are designed to mate with like adjacent track sections to form a complete circuit or course.

It should be understood that when the term track section" is used herein it is not limited to sections of roadbed which simulate a racetrack. The term track section also includes those sections of roadbed which are designed to simulate streets, roads and highways.

ln the majority of track sections in the market which are designed to be assembled from like adjacent track sections to form a continuous roadbed, the youthful user often encounters some difficulty in assembling the track sections due to the formidable resistance which must be overcome in order to assemble or disassemble the sections.

Substantial assembly or disassembly force is necessary to engage or disengage the like adjacent track sections or a correspondingly insubstantial force would accidentally disengage the like adjacent track sections. Such accidental disassembly would render a complete course subject to unwanted disassembly at inopportune moments.

In the event a youthful user of a model vehicle racetrack course attempts to utilize mechanical aids in assembling or disassembling track sections other than the present invention, the results are often not satisfactory. The majority of the track section components presently on the market are formed, by injection molding, from plastic. The use of one of the usual mechanical aids, such as hammers, screw drivers or pliers, in the assembly or disassembly of like adjacent track sections often results in splintering of either the attachment means of the track sections or the track sections themselves. One or both of two like adjacent track sections are thereby rendered useless and the play value of the set is diminished.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved model vehicle track section assembly tool capable of being used with many of the track sections currently on the market to aid in nondestructive assembly and disassembly of like adjacent track sections.

Ease of assembly and disassembly of like adjacent track sections by young and relatively unskilled operators can be greatly facilitated and substantially all of the destructive effects of the use of ordinary mechanical aids can be eliminated by the provision of a tool which acts in concert with an existing structure of the track sections to aid in their assembly and disassembly.

Accordingly, it is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a model vehicle racetrack tool for use in assembly and disassembly of like adjacent track sections used for model vehicles which permits simple, easy, non-destructive assembly and disassembly of like adjacent track sections by even those of limited physical strength.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a model vehicle racetrack tool which is simple in construction and use, includes a variety of implements as a part thereof, which is reliable and durable throughout its life, capable of economical production for sale at a reasonable price.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a tool for use in assembling and disassembling like adjacent track sections for model vehicles. Each of the track sections with which the tool of the present invention is designed to be used includes a longitudinally extending body of insulating material having two ends. The track section has a substantially flat top wall forming a running surface for the model vehicles. The track section also includes a guide groove of substantially equal longitudinal extent with a track section for use in guiding model vehicles. Each guide groove has generally upstanding side walls each of which depend from the track section top wall. The track section has a projection from each end thereof and a laterally extending hook is fixed to each of the projections with the hooks facing in laterally opposite directions. The recess in each end of the track section is constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent track section. The hook retaining means is located at each end of the track sec,- tion and is spaced from the end thereof for releasably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section. Detent means are located on each end of the track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining aligned relationship of the guide grooves of the two like adjacent interconnected track sections. Each corresponding hook retaining means includes means for urging like adjacent. in registration, track sections toward one another and into engagement in response to the application of oppositely directed lateral forces to the track sections. The oppositely directed lateral forces override coacting corresponding detent means of the like adjacent track sections. The tool comprises a gripping section for use in holding the tool, a track engaging member fixed to the gripping section and at least one lever arm fixed to the gripping section for use in applying a turning force to the tool. The track engaging member includes two depending spaced legs, each of the legs being constructed and arranged to be inserted within a guide groove of a track section and rotatable therein. The legs are spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit simultaneous insertion of each of the legs within the respective guide grooves of each of two adjacent track sections. with their corresponding hooks and hook retaining means arranged in registration. The tool is useable to translate a turning force applied to the tool into the oppositely directed lateral force on the track section by coaction between the spaced legs and a side wall of each of the respective guide grooves of the adjacent track sections.

The above brief description as well as further objects. features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. I Is a fragmentary top plan view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of representative track sections with which the present invention is useable. showing said track sections completely disassembled;

FIG. 2 Is a fragmentary top plan view of the track sections of FIG. 1 shown in registration and including a top plan view of the tool of the present invention, with parts thereof broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 3 Is a fragmentary top plan view of the track sections of FIG. 1 shown assembled;

FIG. 4 ls a front elevation view of a representative form of the tool of the present invention;

FIG. 5 Is an enlarged fragmentary view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows showing the track sections disassembled and showing suggested uses for the tool of the present invention;

FIG. 6 Is an enlarged fragmentary view of the track sections shown in FIG. 5 in an assembled condition;

FIG. 7 Is a fragmentary perspective view of the track sections of FIG. 2 showing a use of the tool of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawing and first to FIG. 1, there is shown a fragmentary illustrative track section embodying features which render it useable with the track tool of the present invention, the track section being generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The track section 10 shown in the drawing shows only a fragment of its entire longitudinal extent.

However. FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7 show opposite ends of like adjacent track sections and illustrate that the body of the track section 10 is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis with respect to all but the constructional details at or near the ends thereof. The constructional details at the track section ends are asymmetrically arranged on diagonally opposite sides of the track section at opposite ends thereof.

The track section 10 includes a generally flat body 12 which may be formed of insulating material by any conventional method such as by being molded of plastic. The body 12 may be of any shape or configuration including curved with portions thereof at different levels to form all or part of a banked curve or a portion of virtually any track configuration desired. However, for simplicity of description, the track section 10 and its body 12 are shown as being of generally straight, elongated configuration having a substantially longitudinally extending top wall 14 forming a running surface for the model vehicles (not shown).

Throughout the description of the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the track section being discussed will be described using reference numerals in the usual manner. Similar elements on a similar or like adjacent track section will be described utilizing reference numerals bearing the subscript a."

Two longitudinally extending, upwardly facing guide grooves or channels 16 are formed within the track section 10 and each includes substantially parallel generally upstanding side walls 18. See, for example. track section 10a in FIG. 6 which includes a guide groove 16a and side walls 18a which depend from running surface 14a.

Two elongated longitudinally extending conductor strips 20 are located within grooves equally spaced on either side of guide grooves 16. The conductor strips 20 extend slightly above the running surface 14 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The conductor strips 20 on either side of each of the grooves 16 supply, respectively, positive and negative electrical energy from a source of electricity (not shown) for use in powering the model vehicle to be used on the track.

Adjacent conductor strips located on either side of a guide groove 16 terminate in tabs 22 on the ends thereof which are bent toward one another to provide electrical interconnection between assembled like adjacent track sections 10, when said track sections are interconnected in a manner to be described hereinafter.

A generally rectangular projection 24 is located at the lower left hand corner of the track section 10. In a like manner a projection 26 appears at the diagonally opposite end of the track section 10 (see projection 26a on the track section 10a in FIG. 1).

A hook 28 is located on the laterally inward surface of the projection 24 and includes an upstanding angled or oblique surface 30 which assumes an acute included angle with respect to the end of the track section.

A recess 32 appears in the same end of the track section 10 as the projection 24 at the laterally opposite side thereof (see recess 32a in FIG. 5). The recess 32 is bounded by two mutually perpendicular upstanding walls 34, 36 which are respectively aligned traversely and longitudinally relative to the track section 10. The recess 32 is approximately equal in size to the projection 24. The wall 36 includes an opening 38 therein (see opening 38a in FIG. 5) which is constructed and arranged to receive the hook 28a of a like adjacent track section in a manner to be described hereinafter.

A lateral detent is included at each end of the track section and includes a mouth 40 with lips 42, 44 located on either lateral side thereof and a tongue 46 laterally displaced with respect to the mouth 40. As will be noted by reference to FIGS. 1, 2 or 3, the tongue 46 projects beyond the end of the track section 10 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Further, the mouth 40 is of a size to receive a tongue 46a of a like adjacent track section 10a therein when said like adjacent track sections are in an assembled condition (see FIG. 3).

A tool 48 is provided (see FIG. 4), which includes structure enabling it to be used for a number of purposes in connection with a model vehicle race track. The tool 48 may be made of any suitable durable rigid material such as metal, by any conventional process.

The tool 48 includes a central gripping section 50. A track engaging member 52 is fixed to the gripping section 50 and extends outwardly therefrom. Two down wardly extending guide groove engaging legs 54, 56 are formed at the distal end of the track engaging member 52. The legs 54, 56 are sized to permit their insertion within the guide grooves 16, 16a of like adjacent track sections 10, 1011 (see FIG. 2) while still permitting rotation of the legs within the guide grooves for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

In addition, the legs 54, 56 are separated from one another so as to permit their insertion within guide grooves 16, 16a of like adjacent track sections I0, 1011 when the track sections are arranged with their hooks 28 in registry with hook retaining openings 38:: of like adjacent track sections.

A lever arm 58 is fixed to the gripping section 50 of the tool 48 and extends outwardly therefrom. The lever arm 58 includes a flat bladed screw-driver-like distal end 60 and is fixed to the gripping section 50 so as to be approximately 120 displaced from the track engaging member 52.

A second lever arm 62 is attached to the gripping section 50 of the tool 48 and extends outwardly therefrom. The lever arm 62 includes an open-ended wrench 64 formed at its distal end which may be sized to fit a nut on a model vehicle (not shown) useable with the track sections 10, 10a. The second lever arm 62 is fixed to the gripping section 50 approximately 120 from both the first lever arm 58 and the track engaging member In operation, a user of a model vehicle racetrack which includes track sections 10., 10a as two of the components thereof must assemble individual track sections 10, 10a (and sections of various other longitudinal configurations) into a complete track layout.

There must, of necessity, be electrical continuity from one track section to another in order to permit continuous power to be supplied to the model vehicle as it travels over the running surface 14 of the individual tracks as it passes from one track section to another. In addition, there must be aligned interconnection between the end of a guide groove 16 on one track section 10 and the end of a guide groove 16a on another track section 10:: in order to permit continuous guided movement of a model vehicle from one track section to another.

Continuous electrical interconnection between like adjacent track sections 10, 10a is provided by end tabs 22, 22a on the ends of conductor strips 20, 20a on like adjacent track sections 10, 10a. The end tabs 22, 22a are bent so as to extend beyond the end of the running surface 14, 14a of the track sections 10, 10a as may be seen by reference to FIG. 1 which shows two disassem' bled track sections 10, 10a.

When the track sections 10, 10a are assembled as shown in FIG. 3 the end tabs 22, 22a of the respective track sections 10, 10a contact one another thereby assuring continuous electrical interconnection between conductor strips 20, 20a. of the like adjacent track sections.

On occasion, a conductor strip end tab 22 may become bent inwardly due to repeated assembly and disassembly of like adjacent track sections thereby preventing complete electrical interconnection between conductor strips 20, 20a of like adjacent assembled track sections. When such a situation occurs the end tab 220 can be repositioned to protrude beyond the end of the running surface 14:: by insertion of the flat bladed distal end 60 of the first lever arm 58 behind the end tab 22:: and correctly positioning the end tab (see FIG. 5).

As noted above, substantial alignment is required between the ends of guide grooves 16, 16a of like adjacent track sections 10, 10a in order to permit substantial continuous guided movement of a racetrack vehicle from one track section to the next adjacent track section. In assembling two like adjacent track sections the initial step involves placing book 28 of one track section 10 in registry with the hook retaining opening 38a of a like adjacent track section 100. Naturally, the hook 28a of the track section 1011 is simultaneously placed in registry with the hook retaining opening 38 of the track section 10. This in registration" condition is illustrated in FIG. 2.

Complete engagement of the like adjacent track sections 10, 10a is prevented in the in registration configuration shown in FIG. 2 due to the interaction between the tongue 46 of the track section 10 and lip 42a of mouth 40a of track section 10a. In a like manner there is an interaction between the tongue 46a and the lip 42 of mouth 40.

As may be noted by reference to FIG. 2, the in registration configuration of the track sections 10, 10a results in a lack of alignment between corresponding elements on a like adjacent track section. For example, grooves 16 and 16:: are not aligned and a space exists between the ends of the running surfaces 14, 14a of the respective like adjacent track sections 10, 10a.

Oppositely directed lateral forces on the track sections 10, 10a is required in order to overcome the effect of the interaction of the respective detent means and the aformentioned tongue-lip resistance. It is, of course, possible to apply this force by the user placing his hands appropriately on the respective track sections and forcing them toward one another into engagement. Upon the user applying the appropriate amount of properly directed force, the surface 30 of the book 28 will act as a camming surface against the opening 38a to overcome the tongue-lip resistance of the detent means and align the corresponding structures of the like adjacent track sections. The difficulty with such manually exerted force is that the average youthful user of the track sections in question is not possessed of sufficient strength or dexterity to repeatedly accomplish this result without breaking off the hooks 28.

Once complete assembly of the track sections 10, 10a is accomplished (see FIG. 3) the tongue 46a resides within the mouth 40 and the tongue 46 resides within the mouth 40a. This interaction of the corresponding detent means ensures against unwanted and accidental dislodgment of the track sections 10, 1011 due to unwanted relative lateral movement between the track sections.

If protrusion of the tongue 46 or 464: beyond the end of the track section running surface 14 or 14a were reduced to make assembly and disassembly of the track sections easier, the holding force of the detent means would likewise be reduced. This latter condition is, it will be recognized, an undesirable result.

In order to provide the youthful assembler and disassembler of the track sections with the means for assembling and disassembling like adjacent track sections 10, 1011 with relative ease while maintaining sufficient resistance to unwanted relative lateral movement thereof, the tool 48 is used.

The track sections 10, 10a are placed with the hooks 28, 28a in registration with corresponding hook retaining means 38a, 38 as shown in FIG. 2. The legs, 54, 56 of the track engaging member 52 of the tool 48 are inserted in the guide grooves 16a, 16 of the track sections 10a, 10. As may be seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 7, when the track sections 10, 10:: are in the in registration position, the grooves 16a, 16 are offset. Consequently, it is necessary that the legs 54, 56 be spaced apart a distance to permit their insertion within the offset and misaligned grooves 16a, It).

The assembler then grips the tool 48 firmly by the gripping section 50 between the thumb and forefinger of, for example, his right hand, as best seen in FIG. 7 and rests part of his forefinger against the lever arm 62. The tool 48 is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top and shown by the directional arrows A, B in FIG. 2 (or the directional arrow B of FIG. 7). The rotation of the tool 48 causes the legs 54, 56 within the guide grooves 16a, 16 to bear against a wall 18 thereof and thereby apply laterally directed forces to the track sections 10, 10a.

If the track section 10 is viewed as remaining stationary, the result is that the track section 1011 will move relatively thereto in the direction indicated by the directional arrow C in FIGS. 2 and 5. In response the track sections 10, 1011 move longitudinally toward one another under the action of the angled or oblique surface of the hook 28 coacting with the surface 38a.

If it is desired to disassemble an already assembled set of track sections, 10, 10a, the legs 54, 56 are inserted within aligned grooves 16a, l6, the tool is gripped firmly between the thumb and forefinger of a user by the gripping section 50. The tool 48 is turned clockwise as seen from the top with the middle finger resting against and applying force to the lever arm 50 and the procedure noted above is reversed with the detent means again being overcome and the track sections 10, 10a being disassembled.

As may be seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 7 of the drawing, the tool 48 tends to pivot about an axis which is generally perpendicular to the running surface 14, 14a of the track sections 10, [0a which is located approximately mid-way between the legs 54, 56 of the tool 48. Due to this rotation about the imaginary axis just describec, me leg 54 coacting with the upstanding side wall of the groove 16a tends to urge the track section 10a downwardly and toward the track section 10 as seen in FIG. 2.

In a like manner, the leg 56 acting against an opposite upstanding wall 18 of the groove 16 tends to urge the track section 10 upwardly and to the left toward the track section 1041.

Accordingly, the tool 48 not only translates rotational force into oppositely directed longitudinal forces on the track sections l0, 10a respectively, but also aids the oblique face 30 of the book 28 in overcoming the action of the detent means comprised of the mouth 40 lips, 42, 44 tongue 46 and the corresponding structures on the like adjacent track section.

In addition, in a single tool, three different implements have been combined (the track engaging legs 54, 56, the flat bladed screw driver 60, and the open end wrench 64) in a manner that the wrench and the screw driver perform the additional function of permitting rotation of the track tool 48 to either engage or disengage the like adjacent track sections without changing the way the tool is held. The lever arms provided on both sides of the track aligning member 52 can be used for assembling and disassembling by merely turning the tool 48 in a different direction aided by the leverage provided by bearing against the first or second lever arms 58, 60 and obtaining the benefit of the moment arms they provide without substantially changing the position of the hand holding the tool.

This latter feature is particularly advantageous when it is realized that if an assembly tool requires a specific orientation for assembly and a different specific orientation for disassembly the youthful user would most likely not be able to derive any benefit from use of the tool.

As will be readilly apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention described may be used in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. A tool for use in assembling and disassembling like adjacent track sections for model vehicles, each of said track sections including a longitudinally extending body of insulating material having two ends, said track section having a substantially flat top wall forming a running surface for said model vehicles and including a guide groove of substantially equal longitudinal extent with said track section for use in guiding model vehicles, said guide groove having generally upstanding side walls depending from said track section top wall, a projection from each end of said track section, a laterally extending hook being fixed to each of said projections. said hooks facing in laterally opposite directions, a recess in each end of said track section constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection ofa like adjacent track section, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section and spaced from the end thereof for releasably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section, and detent means located on each end of said track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining an aligned relationship of said guide grooves of said two like adjacent interconnected track sections, each corresponding hook and hook retaining means including means for urging like adjacent. in registration. track sections toward one another and into engagement in response to the application of oppositely directed lateral forces thereto thereby overriding coacting corresponding detent means of said adjacent track sections. said tool comprising a gripping section for use in holding said tool, a track engaging member fixed to said gripping section and at least one lever arm fixed to said gripping section for use in applying a turning force to said tool, said track engaging member including two depending spaced legs, each of said legs being constructed and arranged to be inserted within a guide groove of one of said track sections in a given direction and rotatable therein in a direction orthogonal to said given direction, said legs being fixed relative to said gripping sec tion so that a turning force applied to said gripping section in said orthogonal direction causes said legs to rotate in said orthogonal direction, said legs being spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit a simultaneous insertion of each of said legs within the respective guide grooves of each of two of said adjacent track sections with corresponding hooks and hook retaining means arranged in registration, said tool being usable to translate said orthogonal turning force applied to said tool into said oppositely directed lateral force on said track sections by coaction between said spaced legs and a side wall of said respective guide grooves of said adjacent track sections.

2. The invention according to claim 1, said tool including a second lever arm fixed to said gripping section and extending outwardly therefrom, both said first and second lever arms and said track engaging member being spaced from one another about said gripping section in a manner that said lever arms are useable to apply force to said track engaging member through a moment arm when said legs are located within respective guide grooves of said like adjacent track sections to override said corresponding detent means for use in assembling and disassembling said like adjacent track sections.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein said first lever arm includes a substantially flat blade on the distal end thereof and said second lever arm includes an open-ended wrench on the distal end thereof, said lever arms and said track engaging member being spaced substantially equally on said tool about said gripping section.

4. In combination. a track section for model vehicles and a tool for use in assembling and disassembling like adjacent track sections, said track section comprising a longitudinally extending body of insulating material having two ends, said track section having a substantially flat top wall forming a running surface for said model vehicles and including a guide groove of substantially equal longitudinal extent with said track sec tion for use in guiding model vehicles, said guide groove having generally upstanding side walls depending from said track section top wall, a projection from each end of said track section, a laterally extending hook being fixed to each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally opposite directions, a recess in each end of said track section constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent track section, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section and spaced from the end thereof for releasably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section, and detent means located on each end of said track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining an aligned relationship of said guide grooves of said two like adjacent interconnected track sections, corresponding guide grooves of like adjacent track sections being laterally separated a given distance when corresponding hooks and hook retaining means of said track sections are in registration and said track sections are not assembled, each corresponding hook and hook retaining means including means for urging like adjacent, in registration, track sections toward one another and into engagement in response to the application of oppositely directed lateral forces thereto thereby overriding coacting corresponding detent means of said like adjacent track sections, said tool comprising a gripping section for use in holding said tool, a track engaging member fixed to said gripping section and at least one lever arm fixed to said gripping section for use in applying a turning force to said tool, said track engaging member including two depending spaced legs, each of said legs being constructed and arranged to be inserted in a given direction within a guide groove of a track section and rotatable therein in a direction orthogonal to said given direction, said legs being fixed relative to said gripping section so that a turning force applied to said gripping section in said orthogonal direction causes said legs to rotate in said orthogonal direction, said legs being spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit a simultaneous insertion of each of said legs within the respective guide grooves of each of two adjacent track sections in registration and arranged with said guide grooves separated said given distance, said tool being usable to translate said orthogonal turning force applied to said tool into said oppositely directed lateral force on said track sections by coaction between said spaced legs and a side wall of each of said respective guide grooves of said adjacent track sections.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said gripping section, said lever arm and said legs are all constructed and arranged to be co-planar.

6. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said gripping section, said first and second lever arms and said legs are all constructed and arranged to be coplanar.

7. The invention according to claim 2, wherein said first and second lever arms and said track engaging member all being substantially equally circumferentially spaced from one another.

8. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said gripping section, said first and second lever arms and said legs are all constructed and arranged to be coplanar.

9. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said gripping section, said lever arm and said legs are all constructed and arranged to be co-planar. 

1. A tool for use in assembling and disassembling like adjacent track sections for model vehicles, each of said track sections including a longitudinally extending body of insulating material having two ends, said track section having a substantially flat top wall forming a running surface for said model vehicles and including a guide groove of substantially equal longitudinal extent with said track section for use in guiding model vehicles, said guide groove having generally upstanding side walls depending from said track section top wall, a projection from each end of said track section, a laterally extending hook being fixed to each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally opposite directions, a recess in each end of said track section constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent track section, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section and spaced from the end thereof for releasably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section, and detent means located on each end of said track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining an aligned relationship of said guide grooves of said two like adjacent interconnected track sections, each corresponding hook and hook retaining means including means for urging like adjacent, in registration, track sections toward one another and into engagement in response to the application of oppositely directed lateral forces thereto thereby overriding coacting corresponding detent means of said adjacent track sections, said tool comprising a gripping section for use in holding said tool, a track engaging member fixed to said gripping section and at least one lever arm fixed to said gripping section for use in applying a turning force to said tool, said track engaging member including two depending spaced legs, each of said legs being constructed and arranged to be inserted within a guide groove of one of said track sections in a given direction and rotatable therein in a direction orthogonal to said given direction, said legs being fixed relative to said gripping section so that a turning force applied to said gripping section in said orthogonal direction causes said legs to rotate in said orthogonal direction, said legs being spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit a simultaneous insertion of each of said legs within the respective guide grooves of each of two of said adjacent track sections with corresponding hooks and hook retaining means arranged in registration, said tool being usable to translate said orthogonal turning force applied to said tool into said oppositely directed lateral force on said track sections by coaction between said spaced legs and a side wall of said respective guide grooves of said adjacent track sections.
 2. The invention according to claim 1, said tool including a second lever arm fixed to said gripping section and extending outwardly therefrom, both said first and second lever arms and said track engaging member being spaced from one another about said gripping section in a manner that said lever arms are useable to apply force to said track engaging member through a moment arm when said legs are located within respective guide grooves of said like adjacent track sections to override said corresponding detent means for use in assembling and disassembling said like adjacent track sections.
 3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein said first lever arm includes a substantially flat blade on the distal end thereof and said second lever arm includes an open-ended wrench on the distal end thereof, said lever arms and said track engaging member being spaced substantially equally on said tool about said gripping section.
 4. In combination, a track section for model vehicles and a tool for use in assembling and disassembling like adjacent track sections, said track section comprising a longitudinally extending body of insulating material having two ends, said track section having a substantially flat top wall forming a running surface for said model vehicles and including a guide groove of substantially equal longitudinal extent with said track section for use in guiding model vehicles, said guide groove having generally upstanding side walls depending from said track section top wall, a projection from each end of said track section, a laterally extending hook being fixed to each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally opposite directions, a recess in each end of said track section constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent track section, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section and spaced from the end thereof for releasably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section, and detent means located on each end of said track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining an aligned relationship of said guide grooves of said two like adjacent interconnected track sections, corresponding guide grooves of like adjacent track sections being laterally separated a given distance when corresponding hooks and hook retaining means of said track sections are in registration and said track sections are not assembled, each corresponding hook and hook retaining means including means for urging like adjacent, in registration, track sections toward one another and into engagement in response to the application of oppositely directed lateral forces thereto thereby overriding coacting corresponding detent means of said like adjacent track sections, said tool comprising a gripping section for use in holding said tool, a track engaging member fixed to said gripping section and at least one lever arm fixed to said gripping section for use in applying a turning force to said tool, said track engaging member including two depending spaced legs, each of said legs being constructed and arranged to be inserted in a given direction within a guide groove of a track section and rotatable therein in a direction orthogonal to said given direction, said legs being fixed relative to said gripping section so that a turning force applied to said gripping section in said orthogonal direction causes said legs to rotate in said orthogonal direction, said legs being spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit a simultaneous insertion of each of said legs within the respective guide grooves of each of two adjacent track sections in registration and arranged with said guide grooves separated said given distance, said tool being usable to translate said orthogonal turning force applied to said tool into said oppositely directed lateral force on said track sections by coaction between said spaced legs and a side wall of each of said respective guide grooves of said adjacent track sections.
 5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said gripping section, said lever arm and said legs are All constructed and arranged to be co-planar.
 6. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said gripping section, said first and second lever arms and said legs are all constructed and arranged to be co-planar.
 7. The invention according to claim 2, wherein said first and second lever arms and said track engaging member all being substantially equally circumferentially spaced from one another.
 8. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said gripping section, said first and second lever arms and said legs are all constructed and arranged to be co-planar.
 9. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said gripping section, said lever arm and said legs are all constructed and arranged to be co-planar. 